Problem solving and conflict resolution for children should begin being taught early on. If you’re a parent of multiple children in your family this becomes apparent as it won’t take siblings long at all to become engaged in some type of ‘sharing’ violation with one another. Children of a family with other children almost immediately are engaged in a social type of activity albeit only with their brothers and sisters early on. Conflicts and resolving those conflicts soon become part of their day.
Now, these children come to school. Teachers should understand that at an early age, children are in more of a self exploration and self discovery mode. From there and from a socialization progression, you will see kids playing together but not as a coordinated group. Then you will see kids begin activities that require interaction and subsequently, problem solving and conflict resolution. Of course, as the child ages, you will notice the difference on how they deal with their laymates/classmates/peers.
As a teacher, you have the opportunity to actually teach conflict resolution and problem solving techniques and skills rather than just solving them. As a part of conflict resolution, it’s important to get children to express themselves and their feelings and get past their initial emotional reaction. This will initially take some time and practice, and you should take the time to get back to, and discuss the conflict that occurred at a later time or date after the emotions have calmed sufficiently down. Discussing previous conflicts and how they could have reacted and handled them is a key in their emotional growth.
As all children do early on, before they have the ability to concisely express themselves, they learn that many times crying and even screaming resolves their conflict because maybe, their parents tried to assuage the behavior by getting them what they want or need. The time needed for this emotional growth and self education just isn’t available in the public schools due to the big population, they say. However, why not make a difference and start now?
By: Jessy Rae R. De Jesus | Teacher III | Sta. Rosa Elementary School | Pilar, Bataan
